Looking Down the Lane

“’But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’” Luke 15:20

The story of the father with two sons captures the gospel story for two sorts of people. The first are like the younger son who decided against his better judgment to demand his inheritance early, move to a distant land, and squander it on loose living with women and wine. When he came to his senses, he realized that his father’s servants living under his care and provision had it better than he did. So he went home.

The parallel is to all of us who have thumbed our nose at God, demanded life on our terms, and trudged off to enjoy worldly pleasures only to find they satisfy for a season.

The second are like the older son who remained faithful to father and home, working the fields and earning an honest wage. Yet when his little brother returned, his heart burned with anger against sibling and father, for in his eyes the first wasn’t worth celebrating and the latter was foolish for doing so. “You’ve never thrown a party for me,” he hurled. Dad’s response? ““My son … you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ (Luke 15:31)

Which son are you like?

Is God waiting for you to come down the lane, eager to throw his arms around you?

Or is God reminding you of the riches you already have in Him—His purpose, peace, and plans?

Dear God, it is so easy to think that life without you is free, fun, and easy. Help me see that in You I find significance. And once there, may I glory in Your riches, for they are new each day. Amen.

Repent of any narrow thinking that life on your terms is better than resting in the treasures of God.

by Bill Strom
Used by Permission

Published on August 16, 2023

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